Sexuality Skulks into Google's Lively Online 3D Virtual World

Google Lively's terms of use forbid any state of undress and sexually explicit content.

Despite several injunctions, a sexual overtone is skulking into the milieu of Google's online 3D virtual world, Lively.

"We've received complaints about recently created 'sex rooms' in Lively, and we take these complaints seriously," Google said on its Lively group. "Our community standards prohibit sexually explicit images and rooms intended for sexual activity, even if they are virtual. When we become aware of 'sex rooms' that violate our Terms of Service, we'll work to remove them."

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A tour of Google's 3D dominion reveals a few rooms that might be considered risqué, but nothing to titillating.

One room called SEXY & HOT offered a naughty welcome screen, but not much else. A few posters in the room linked to girl.cb-w.com, a website that advertises a guide entitled How To Approach Any Woman, Anywhere And Know Exactly What To Say To Get Her To Give You Her Number And Go On A Date With You - NOW.

One other room called Porn Place fell short of its title, despite a rather tame YouTube video resting at the bottom of a virtual pool. Other questionable rooms included titles such as Sexo Virtual, sexy babes, and BDSM Espana.

"We don't allow nudity, graphic sex acts or sexually explicit material. This includes making sexual advances toward other users. We also don't allow content that drives traffic to commercial pornography sites or that promotes pedophilia, incest or bestiality. Google has a zero-tolerance policy against child pornography. If we become aware of child pornography, the content will be removed and we will report it and its owners to the appropriate authorities."

According to Google, violators of the community standards could be banned from the virtual world and their Google accounts disabled.

"When browsing or searching for rooms, some Lively citizens come upon these rooms as the top results, which can erode their Lively experience ... Lively is intended to be a place for Lively citizens to connect with each other and express themselves freely and in a safe environment," Google said.